As Group-1 Mains Exam has started on Monday in Telangana for filling up 563 posts in the state and 31,383 candidates are writing the Group-1 Mains exam, hours earlier the Supreme Court has rejected the plea to postpone it.
The Apex Court denied any interim orders against beginning of the Group-1 mains examinations. The three-judge bench ruled against intervening in the candidates’ petition, stating that the Telangana High Court had already provided clear directives regarding the conduct of the exams.
The bench headed by Chief Justice of India Justice DY Chandrachud was of the view that any interim order now would cause “substantial dislocation” in the conducting of the examination, which the bench was disinclined to do.
The Supreme Court also directed the High Court to complete the case proceedings by November 20 while emphasising that, with candidates already reaching exam centres, delaying the exams at this stage would not be appropriate.
The petition filed by one Pogula Rambabu sought postponement of the Group – I Main examination citing GO 29, which was violating the constitution. Senior Advocate Kapil Advocate, representing Rambabu, argued that the exam, which had not been held for 14 years, should be postponed due to concerns over unfair treatment of candidates.
“This is a Group-1 post. It may never be filled again,” Sibal said, emphasizing the stakes involved for candidates. However, the Supreme Court bench, while acknowledging the concerns, noted that postponing a public service examination at such short notice would cause significant disruption.
“The special leave petition arises from an interlocutor order of the division bench of the High Court for the State of Telangana dated 16 October 2024. The High Court has specifically clarified that any selection which is made in persons of the examination which is to be conducted by the Telangana State Public Service Commission for Group -1 services shall abide by the final outcome of the proceedings”, it said.
Moreover, it also observed that “the proceedings listed before the High Court on 20 November 2024. The court is apprised of the fact that the examination is due to commence today at 2 pm and students have already reported at the examination centres, we are now have to consider the view that any interim order in these proceedings would substantial dislocation in the conducting of the examination, which are disinclined to do”.
The Bench said that the High Court has already clarified any selection made hereafter shall abide by the final outcome of the matter.
